Camera Lens Mounts

Several styles of camera lens mounts are available – plastic M12 (which are supplied with camera boards and M12 lenses), metal CS (which are supplied with CS lenses or purchased separately), and metal M12 (which may be purchased with a camera board or purchased separately). In addition, motorized IR cut filter lens mounts are available. Shop all lens mounts here.

Securing the Lens in the Lens Mount:

There are three mechanisms for fixing the lens in place so it doesn’t move, each with their own particular advantages and disadvantages.

Thread Compound:

The first mechanism is a thread compound, such as damping grease (such as NyoGel). The obvious disadvantage to the liquids and pastes is you may get the product on the optics. However, if you are careful, the advantages are that it works on both plastic and metal lens mounts, it can be temporary or semi-permanent (it is subject to environmental effects – vibration, thermal degradation, etc.), and is probably the easiest to use when adjusting the focus. Another option in this category is a threadlocker (such as Loctite). This option is more permanent for metal lens mounts, but may melt your plastic lens mounts – so proceed at your own risk.

Jam Nut:

The second mechanism is a jam nut (also called a lock ring). This is a thin, flat nut that is snugged up on the lens threads to the top of the lens mount. It can be finicky to set the focus and takes up some space (at least the thickness of the nut) between the top of the mount and the bottom of the flange on the lens. But, it won’t cause the lens to deflect and won’t damage the lens threads.

Set Screw:

The third mechanism is a set screw. This is a screw that is tightened into the side of the lens mount and applies pressure to the threads on the side of the lens. This only works with metal mounts, may damage the lens threads, and may cause the lens to deflect slightly, possibly affecting the image. However, it doesn’t take additional space on the lens body as the jam nut does.

Lens/Mount Compatibility:

The following lists of lens mounts and lenses provide some guidance as to which lens mounts can be used with which lenses, based on the fixing mechanism. A thread compound and a set screw have the same limitations (typically sufficient threads in contact between the lens and the mount). In addition, a jam nut also requires a few millimeters space between the top of the lens mount and the bottom of the lens flange, in which the jam nut will sit.

M12 x P0.5 Plastic Camera Lens Mounts:

M12 Plastic Camera Metal Lens Mounts are provided with cameras to protect the sensors, and with M12 lens to protect the optics, during shipment. The lens mount supplied with a lens is the best plastic lens mount to use with that lens. If you prefer to use a metal M12 lens mount, use the information below to select the proper lens mount for your M12 lens.

CS Metal Camera Lens Mounts:

Use a CS Metal Camera Lens Mount to replace an existing M12 Lens Mount (plastic or metal, short or tall) on an ArduCAM Camera Module for use with a CS lens. All CS Metal Camera Lens Mounts are 12.25 mm height.

M12 x P0.5 Metal Camera Lens Mounts:

Use an M12 Metal Camera Lens Mount to replace an existing Lens Mount (CS or M12, plastic or metal, short or tall) on an ArduCAM Camera Module. The quality of these metal lens mounts is far superior to the plastic mounts that are provided with camera boards and lenses. There are five heights currently available: 7 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm, 14.5 mm and 16.5 mm. These selections expand your lens options significantly – see our complete selection of Camera Lenses. However, you must choose the correct height to work with your lens – not all lenses will focus properly with all lens mounts. For example, the LS-40180 and LS-81600 will not work with any of the metal lens mounts, and must use the 6 mm high plastic lens mount that is supplied with the lens.

Table 1: Lens / Mounts
Lens 7 mm 9 mm IR 10 mm 12.5 mm IR 13 mm 14.75 mm 16.5 mm
LS-0002 X
LS-0036 X
LS-0527 X X X X X
LS-1620 X X
LS-1820 X X X X X
LS-4011 X X X
LS-6020 X X X X X
LS-8020 X X X X X
LS-12020 X X X X
LS-18023 > 6″ X X X
LS-20150 X X X
LS-20211 X X X X X
LS-25180 X X X
LS-27180 X X X
LS-27225 X X X
LS-27227 X X X X
LS-30180 X
LS-30188 X X X
LS-30207 X X X X X
LS-32220 X
LS-36021 X X X
LS-40136 X
LS-40166 X X
LN001 > 12″ > 12″ > 12″ X
LN002 X X X X X
LN003 X X X X X
LN004 X X X X
LN005 X X X X
LN006 X X X X X X
LN007 X X X X X
LN008 X X X X X
LN009 X X X X X X
LN010 X
LN011 X X X X X X X
LN012 X X X X X
LN013 X X X
LN014 X
LN015 X
MTV2520B > 6″ > 6″ > 3″ > 2″

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